Shloka 49

Veṅkaṭācala Māhātmya: Bhakti-Lakṣaṇa, Nārasiṁha-tīrtha, and the Secret Darśana-Vidhi of Śrīnivāsa

Devanagari script

रमाश्रयत्वान्नितरां सर्वदा चेत्यतो हरिः श्रीनिवासाभिधानः / भो श्रीनिवासेति तु नर्तयन्तो रोमाञ्चमात्रास्तलशब्दकारिणः

Transliteration

ramāśrayatvānnitarāṃ sarvadā cetyato hariḥ śrīnivāsābhidhānaḥ / bho śrīnivāseti tu nartayanto romāñcamātrāstalaśabdakāriṇaḥ

Translation

Kerana Hari senantiasa—terutama sekali—menjadi tempat berlindung Ramā (Śrī), maka Dia dikenali dengan nama “Śrīnivāsa”. Sambil berseru “Wahai Śrīnivāsa!”, mereka menari dalam bhakti—bulu roma meremang, dan tepukan tangan menghasilkan bunyi tāla berirama.

Word by Word

• ramā-āśrayatvāt: because of being the refuge of Ramā (Lakṣmī)
• ramā-āśrayatvāt: Hetu (हेतु/cause)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ramā + āśraya + tva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Singular; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ramāyāḥ āśrayaḥ (ramāśrayaḥ) + भावप्रत्यय tva

• nitarām: exceedingly
• nitarām: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nitarām (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण), intensifier

• sarvadā: always
• sarvadā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sarvadā (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb of time (कालवाचक-अव्यय)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चय)

• iti: thus
• iti: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: Quotative particle

• ataḥ: therefore
• ataḥ: Hetu-phala (हेतु-फल/therefore)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Causal/conclusive adverb (हेतु/निगमनार्थ-अव्यय)

• hariḥ: Hari
• hariḥ: Karta (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hari (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• śrīnivāsa-abhidhānaḥ: having the appellation ‘Śrīnivāsa’
• śrīnivāsa-abhidhānaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śrīnivāsa + abhidhāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; तत्पुरुष: śrīnivāsa iti abhidhānam yasya (name/appellation)

• bho: O!
• bho: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: bho (अव्यय)
• Form: Vocative particle

• śrīnivāsa: O Śrīnivāsa
• śrīnivāsa: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrīnivāsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative, Singular

• iti: thus
• iti: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: Quotative particle

• tu: indeed / but
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात)

• nartayantaḥ: making (others) dance / dancing about
• nartayantaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √nṛt (धातु)
• Form: Causative present active participle (णिच् + शतृ), Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• romāñca-mātrāḥ: with mere horripilation (only)
• romāñca-mātrāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: romāñca + mātra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural; तत्पुरुष: romāñcasya mātram (only horripilation) → ‘having only horripilation’ (elliptic)

• tala-śabda-kāriṇaḥ: producing clapping sounds
• tala-śabda-kāriṇaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tala + śabda + kārin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural; उपपद-तत्पुरुष: talaśabdam karoti iti (maker of clapping sound)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra, narrating devotional significance of the name Śrīnivāsa)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: The epithet ‘Śrīnivāsa’ is grounded in the Lord’s perpetual refuge-relationship with Śrī; true understanding flowers as ecstatic devotion.

Vedantic Theme: Śakti-śaktimān abheda in devotional language (Śrī inseparable from Hari); bhakti as transformation of knowledge into anubhava.

Application: Let contemplation of divine names’ meanings deepen kīrtana; allow devotion to engage body and community (song, rhythm, dance) without losing reverence.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.24.47 (kīrtana and tāla); Garuda Purana 3.24.50 (darśana-prayer)

Characters & Entities

• Hari (Vishnu)
• Ramā (Lakshmi)
• Śrīnivāsa

FAQs

What is the importance of the name Śrīnivāsa in the Garuda Purana?

This verse explains that Viṣṇu is called Śrīnivāsa because He is the ever-present refuge and abode of Ramā (Lakṣmī), highlighting His auspicious, sustaining nature.

How does this verse describe authentic devotion (bhakti)?

It portrays devotees calling the Lord’s name aloud and dancing with romāñca (gooseflesh) and rhythmic clapping, indicating heartfelt, embodied devotion rather than mere formality.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Chant the name “Śrīnivāsa” with focused remembrance and gratitude; let devotion express itself through sincere prayer, kīrtana, and disciplined daily worship.